JS Bach Matthew Passion - Dunedin Consort - The Observer

02 March 2008The ObserverStephen Pritchard

Released in time for this year's Passiontide, this account of Bach's great masterpiece is the first recording to use the revisions he made for his last performance of it in 1742 - harpsichord substituted for organ; viola da gamba thickening the texture - and uses just eight principal voices, lending it an intimacy that is lost when the work is performed by larger choirs.

The playing and the singing is outstanding, undoubtedly enhanced by John Butt's scholarly and revelatory handling of the score. Highly recommended.